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I just finished my console / ashtray / ashtray surround painting project. I'll try to snap some pictures tomorrow. I stripped the factory "soft touch" paint and the underlayer of dimple-texture using 220 grit and then 400 grit wet sandpaper. Cleaned with soap and water then alcohol. I built up several layers of primer with standard rattle-can high-build primer, and sanded it smooth with 1000 grit paper.
Painting was done using a rattlecan of Arctic Silver mixed by Paintscratch.com. I used four light coats of paint, and then sanded lightly with 1000 grit to even the finish. About six light coats of clear followed by two heavy coats of clear, then let it dry for 24-48 hours depending on my buddy's free time (he did a LOT of the work since he had so much previous experience painting model helicopters).
I then sanded the clear coat with very fine paper. Not sure of the grit, but it was just coarse enough to knock off some of the top-layer orange-peel - maybe 1500-2000?. Final sanding was done with even finer paper (the stuff feels like a sheet of printer paper, it's so smooth). Finally I used compound and a microfibre towel to remove any fine sanding scratches.
We then applied clearbra to the areas of the console near the seatbelt receptacles as well as the ashtray surround since it sees a lot of finger traffic.
Overall it turned out excellent - probably not to the standard of Eric the plug guy's product, but for someone who can't afford his prices (which given the labor involved are WELL worth it), it looks phenomenal. Pics to come shortly.
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